Bowling Green Town Money Saver | December FOM 2021

UNIQUE REASONS TO SHOP AT SMALL BUSINESSES

THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE. LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES MAY BE CLASSIFIED AS “SMALL,” BUT THEY HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON THE NATIONAL ECONOMY.

Supporting locally owned businesses is a great way to support a neighbor, but that’s not the only attraction. Here are several reasons to shop small.

THE “FEEL-GOOD” FACTOR

Doing for others certainly has an impact on the person on the receiving end, but also bene ts the do-gooders. 72 percent of Americans said supporting small businesses was more important than getting the best deals. at may be due to the feeling of helping out a fellow neighbor.

CREATE JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Small businesses are the largest employers in the United States. A person may never know when he or she — or a relative — will need a job. Keeping small businesses viable provides a strong job market for locals.

KEEP MORE MONEY IN THE COMMUNITY

e Small Business Administration says $48 out of every $100 spent at a small business stays in the community. Spend the same $100 at a national retailer and only $14 stays.

ENJOY A MORE LOCAL FLAVOR

National retailers and other businesses follow a global business model that may not allow for much customization, but small businesses can provide products or services that relate directly to the needs of the communities they serve. ese same small businesses also may be more inclined to work with local vendors and start-ups than national companies that have global supply chains.

ese are just a few of the many reasons to seek out small businesses when in need of products or services.

Wishing you the and a new year

HOLIDAY baking!

Salted Caramel Nuts

Makes 8 cups

1 cup each whole roasted salted cashews, whole large pecan halves, whole unsalted almonds, and whole walnut halves (4 cups total)

1½ cups sugar

2 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp fleur de sel 2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine nuts & spread them on a sheet pan, roast for 7 minutes, until they become fragrant. Set aside to cool. Place sugar & ¼ cup of water in a medium (10”) sauté pan and mix with a fork until the sugar is moistened. Cook over medium-high heat until the sugar melts—from this point on, don’t stir the caramel, swirl the pan! Don’t worry—the mixture may look as though it’s crystallizing. Continue to cook 5-10 min., until mixture becomes clear golden brown, swirling the pan constantly at the end. (Careful—the caramel is very hot!) Off the heat, quickly add the vanilla (it will bubble up!) and swirl the pan to combine. Working quickly (the caramel will continue to cook in the pan), add the nuts and the kosher salt and toss with 2 large spoons until the nuts are coated.

Home Made Hot Cocoa

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

½ cup white sugar

1 pinch salt

½ cup boiling water

3 ½ cups milk

¾ teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup half-and-half cream

In a saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa and salt. Add water; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in milk; heat to serving temperature (do not boil). Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Whisk until frothy. If desired, garnish with marshmallows, cream or cinnamon sticks.

Rum Cake

Preparation

Ingredients

CAKE

• 1 cup chopped roasted pecans or walnuts

• 1 yellow cake mix

• 1 1-3/4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix

• 4 eggs

• ½ cup cold milk

• ½ cup vegetable oil

• ½ cup Bacardi dark rum

GLAZE

• ½ cup butter

• ¼ cup water

• 1 cup sugar

• ½ cup Bacardi light rum

CAKE: Preheat oven to 325 F. Grease & flour 12 cup bunt pan. Sprinkle nuts on bottom of pan. Combine all ingredients. Beat for 2 minutes on high with electric mixer. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool in pan. Invert on serving plate. Prick top with fork. Drizzle glaze over top of cake. Use brush or spoon to put extra dripping back on cake.

GLAZE: Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in water & sugar. Boil 5 minutes stirring constantly. Remove from heat & stir in rum. Note: This rum will cause steam. Be careful not to burn yourself.